[Update]: Jaffe Confirms Post-Twisted Metal Departure

Update: Jaffe just confirmed via Twitter that, as of today, he is no longer with Eat Sleep Play. The Twisted Metal and God of War creator broke the news via his personal Twitter account:

"As of now-June 1st-I am officially no longer a co-owner of/employee of @EatSleepPlayInc! Thanks for having me on the crazy ride ESP! Much appreciated! I'm really proud of the game we made! And now...on to new adventures! I hope you'll stay tuned and join me on the new journey twitter peeps! Gonna be fun! :)"

Update: Twisted Metal's David Jaffe has commented on and clarified his post-Twisted Metal plans.

In a series of tweets, Jaffe confirmed that he is leaving Eat Sleep Play, but that he won't do so until after Twisted Metal has shipped and the game has been bug-fixed and balanced post-launch. Jaffe estimates that could take up to three months. He did stress however, "I WILL be leaving2start new game studio."

Jaffe stated that he's in talks with people currently about this new studio, and that it will be in San Diego (where he lives), as he misses the day-to-day interaction with a development team. Eat Sleep Play is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

As for what his next game might be, Jaffe says he has ideas for all kinds of games whether that's next-gen titles or action-orientated ("gamer-centric") browser-based stuff. "I have no idea what game we'll make yet. Could be iPhone, could be next-gen console," he tweeted.

Original Story: David Jaffe, co-founder of Twisted Metal developer Eat Sleep Play, is reported to be leaving the company once the game ships to focus on smaller-scale development.

In an article with the Salt Lake Tribune, Eat Sleep Play founding partner Scott Campbell said that the company is moving to making mobile/iOS titles, and that Jaffe had similar plans, but was leaving the company to pursue them. "He’s excited to go into the casual space as well,” continued Campbell. “He’s got some projects that he’s excited about. So we’re kind of going down two separate paths."

Jaffe tweeted about the report, neither offering up a confirmation nor a denial; simply his own clarification on the definition of casual gaming. "The rumors of me making casual games post [Twisted Metal] – as many of you define them – are highly exaggerated." Jaffe has promised further elaboration via a subsequent tweet, so we'll all have to wait and see.